(Brian Losness/Reuters)
"Politics is a team sport, folks!"
That's the message Rick Santorum has sent out to the Republican base.
When Rick Santorum said this, the first thing that came to my mind was that he was trying to explain to his base why they're going to have to accept some of his failures. In other words, when he wavered on his supposedly deeply-held beliefs, it was because he has a deep sense of loyalty to his party establishment. His failure to stand firm is a virtue, not a blemish.
With that in mind, Santorum, after coming under attack by Mitt Romney for endorsing Arlen Spector, offered a complex justification centered around his desire for conservative judges.
I wonder what his explanation is for voting for Sonia Sotomayor to be appointed to the Second Circuit in 1998?
The vote was lopsided in favor of Sotomayor, 67 to 29. She would have been confirmed without his vote. John McCain voted no. Mitch McConnell voted no. So did Jim Inhofe. Mike Enzi. Sam Brownback. I'd also mention that the Republicans who voted for Sotomayor are almost all relative "moderates" and even a couple of RINOs. Susan Collins. Olympia Snowe. Lincoln Chaffee. Whaddayaknow ... even Republican turncoats Arlen Spector and Jim Jeffords! Santorum voted with them for Sonia Sotomayor.
Explanation, senator? Ah yes. "Politics is a team sport, folks!"